MIND THE GAP
Memories for What: Remembering the Unknown in Recycling Education
(Keywords: memories for what, interdisciplinary, workshop)
Introduction:
The purpose of this class is not to help students better remember which trash bin an empty paper cup should be thrown into, because that is too easy, there is nothing easier then it to remember. Our real purpose should be the things we don’t know.
For me, I don’t know where damaged phones, burnt wires, or used tape should go. Yes, there are always people who know about it, for example, product designers know how to recycle phones, mechanics know how to recycle wires, and artists know how to recycle tape. In such an interdisciplinary educational environment where everyone holds different memories, there will always be some items that none of us know or can be sure how to recycle. These unknown or uncertain items, I name them the “gaps”, are what truly need to be remembered.
Briefingand Material Showcase
Show some artworks made of composite materials, introduce their names, characteristics, whether they are biodegradable or toxic, and precautions for handling.
Groups
Divide the students into groups of six people (theoretical basis: Six Degrees of Separation Theory: by connecting with six people, people can connect to anyone in the world; similarly, the knowledge connections of six people can cover almost all knowledge).
Start Working
Provide a large amount of discarded materials. Group members communicate and discuss, placing the items they know about into the corresponding bins according to their existing knowledge.
Gap Collection
The remaining items on the table are what we call “gap waste.”
Workshop
In groups, use these “gap waste” to create a piece of work, it can be a collage, installation, or sculpture.
Outcomes
Mini presentation of the works.
Conclusion
Give feedback on each group’s work and tell everyone how these “gaps” can actually be recycled.
Critical summary to help everyone realize that recycling is not an easy task.
Note
Throughout the course, DO NOT impose labels such as “for environmental protection” to avoid psychological or behavioral influence on students. This anti-propaganda-style strategy can remove moral pressure, reflects our maturity in teaching philosophy.
Key Tasks for Me
Do extensive research and interviews, collect data, identify which items included in “gap waste,” and list them into the provided materials.
Expected Effect
Collaborative “gap waste” artworks displayed collectively.
Visual documentation of classification uncertainty.
Reflection board summarizing “what we didn’t know.”
Collective realization that recycling is not just about remembering rules, but about learning through the unknown.
This was a really curious read, and feels like its a document of a vision. The idea of ‘gap waste’ and ‘gap collection’ sounds strikingly avant garde!
Thank you, Swapnil.
I think we should figure out what we really want, what we know and what we don’t know, instead of aimlessly following and imitating what others say.
For example, recycling, if we simply throw a paper box into the green bin, I don’t think it makes any sense.
Thank you, Swapnil. I am actually a rather rebellious person, but I have my own thoughts. I believe that among people our age, many, like me, have their own thoughts and do what they believe is right. The same applies to higher education; I don’t think we should be simply taught how to throw bottles into the correct bins in sustainability classes.
It was my pleasure that I had had your article with much alacrity to know more of your future works. Some of my keenest interests cluster on the question of sustainability as well. Keep going! And, keep us inspired! 🙂